Diamond couple prepare to renew vows to mark milestone anniversary

A St Ives couple who were well-known in the town for their spectacular Christmas lights displays are celebrating 60 year years of marriage.

June and Dick Forway, of Hill Rise, started to put lights up as family tradition but, as their displays grew, the crowds were soon drawn to their house every year.

But the couple’s love for Christmas didn’t start there, they have harboured a joint love of the festive season since they met in 1955.

“We met in a coffee bar in Falmouth, Cornwall, which Dick used to run, called Ricky’s,” said June.

As a regular customer, June’s eye caught Dick’s and they began courting, with the pair going dancing for their first date.

She said: “He was a very kind man with a caring persona. We went to a drill hall for our first date and he said he would take me home but it was a struggle to get in his car as he had ice cream signs in there.”

The couple were wed on July 29, 1957, at Falmouth Register Office – next door to June’s family home.

“We lived in Falmouth, we went to Newquay in the afternoon and were back to work that night,” June, 81, added.

The pair moved to Cambridgeshire in 1962 and later to St Ives and have four children – Tracey, Dean, Lindsey and Joanne. They also have eight grandchildren and five great-grandchildren.

“Christmas is a big thing with our family, we were known for our decorations. We used to have a switch-on which was a special day,” June said.

As well as enjoying the festive period, the couple were also involved in amateur dramatics with the St Ives Music and Drama Society, and Dick was also on St Ives Town Council and elected deputy mayor in 2007.

The couple said their secret to a long and happy marriage is luck, with Dick adding that being a patient person helps.

To celebrate their diamond anniversary the couple will be renewing their vows at Holywell Church, surrounded by friends and family.

Bride-to-be June added: “I am quite excited, I don’t think I could be any more excited if it was my wedding.”